Read More

Studies show that less than one in 10 of those who have a heart attack outside hospital survive the ordeal because early intervention is vital but bystanders don't know what to do.

Yet in countries such as Norway where all children learn CPR in school the survival rate has soared to one in four.

Historic Church Street in Newent

Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre staff believe they are the first in the country to train all pupils aged from 11 upwards in vital skills so they can treat people while waiting for the emergency services.

Older pupils are already routinely taught to do chest compressions and use defibrillators but now that has been extended to 11 to 13-year-olds and all new students entering the school.

The school has joined forces with the British Heart Foundation on the project and Principal Alan Johnson said: "We believe we are unique in educating all of our students from ages 11 to 18 in this life-saving skill.

Students with Lisa Jevons, the school's medical and student welfare officer in navy blue

“In addition to acquiring the academic qualifications to secure their best future, we are determined our students should learn life skills enabling them to truly contribute to their community.

“This new training means all our students, whatever their age, could now save the life of someone experiencing a cardiac arrest".

Read More

Pupils practised on dummies to learn the vital first aid skills which could enable them to save the life of a member of the community.

The World Health Organisation say bystanders only try to save less than one in five heart attack victims and it is believed that much of this is down to a lack of confidence because they are scared about doing something wrong.

WHO believe if all children learned CPR in school it would save 200,000 lives in Europe and the US each year.

The market town of Newent has grown in recent years

Medical and student welfare officer Lisa Jevons said Newent passionately believes that every one of their students should be instilled with the confidence and capability to take effective action if they witness a cardiac arrest.

“All our students, even the very youngest, could now literally be a life-saver,” she said.

BHF gave the school £1,000 worth of equipment

BHF charity has donated training equipment worth more than £1,000 to the school and pupil Callum Bace, 12, said: “It was interesting and fun, if anyone in my family was ever in need, I’d know how to check if they were conscious and breathing now.”

Josh Ellis, 12, added: “I think it’s a really good idea. If I was anywhere in public and someone had a cardiac arrest, I’d know what to do and be able to do it properly. It could be useful in future life”.

The school is recognised by the Government as a Healthy School and recently became the first in the county to achieve the Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning Mental Health Champions Award.